LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. & FOSTER CITY, Calif.--Dec. 17, 2002-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. and leader in digital imaging solutions, and Electronics For Imaging, the world leader in software and hardware imaging solutions for network printing, announced today the availability of a new print controller option to power Canon's imageRUNNER 7200, 8500, 85 and 105 digital networked office systems. The new solution, known as the Canon imagePASS-M2 Print Controller, features Fiery X5 technology and is specifically designed to handle complex graphics and variable data output commonly associated with high-volume black-and-white printing. Jointly developed by Canon and EFI, the imagePASS-M2 incorporates a robust Intel Pentium III 866 MHz processor and a 20GB hard disk to maximize the output of the high-volume imageRUNNER devices and obtain a faster processing speed than its imagePASS-M1 predecessor. The new imagePASS-M2 also features NetWise for seamless network connectivity to all popular networks, true Adobe Postscript 3support and several new enhanced security features, including IP Blocking and Job Log Protect. "The imagePASS-M2 is the latest in a series of products resulting from the successful relationship between Canon and EFI," said Dennis Amorosano, director and assistant general manager for Canon U.S.A.'s Copier and Network Office Systems Division. "By incorporating the latest EFI technology and state-of-the-art features, the imagePASS M-2 coupled with Canon's high-volume imageRUNNER engines will deliver an ideal black-and-white solution for busy corporate reprographic departments and print-for-pay environments." "We are delighted that Canon has chosen EFI's Fiery X5 server technology to boost the output of the imageRUNNER engines and deliver high speed, high quality black-and-white printing solutions to Canon's customers," said Bernie Lepore, director of Sales for EFI. "The Fiery X5 server and its workflow management tools bring speed and quality to demanding printing environments." The new imagePASS-M2 Print Controller is designed for Canon's products for the Segment 5 and 6 marketplaces: the imageRUNNER 7200, 8500, 85 and 105 models. The imageRUNNER 7200/8500/105 are black-and-white digital copiers with optional network printing and scanning capabilities, with speeds of 72 pages-per-minute (ppm), 85 ppm and 105 ppm, respectively. The imageRUNNER 85 is an 85 ppm black-and-white production printer. All four devices are targeted toward high-volume document production environments, including Central Reprographic Departments, Print-for-Pay and Print-on-Demand environments. All four devices also offer extensive document finishing options such as single-and multi-positioning stapling, automatic 2/3 hole punching, automatic saddle-stitch booklet making, booklet trimming, Z-folding and document insertion. For consistency in product offerings, the connectivity, software, and document finishing tools available are identical for all imageRUNNER 7200, 8500, 85 and 105 devices. High performance features of the imagePASS-M2 include: * Command WorkStation, the industry's most popular printing workflow application that sets the standard for conveniently managing and manipulating digital print jobs. * Direct Queue Printing Support * Fiery FreeForm, for simple creation of master templates and variable information for fast and easy variable data printing. * Fiery DocBuilder Pro imposition software for editing and assembling entire documents before RIPing the files. * IP Blocking to permit or deny printing access to or from a specific or range of IP addresses. * Job Log Protect to enable only the system administrator/operator to view password protected job logs on the server * On Board CD-ROM for easier software installation and upgrades. * Apache Web Server Security Enhancements * Parallel Port Interface Adapter Pricing and Availability The imagePASS-M2 is now available through authorized Canon dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations at a suggested retail price of $7,950. For more information on Canon's imageRUNNER devices, visit www.imageRUNNER.com.